CBCS programs see rise in U.S. News & World Report rankings | Graduate programs in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) continue to earn national recognition, with multiple programs advancing in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) Best Graduate Schools rankings. Three programs — clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling, speech-language pathology, and audiology — jumped multiple spots in the rankings. CBCS now has three programs in the top 25, four in the top 50, and five in the top 100 of the USNWR graduate program rankings. | | Conference highlights ‘remarkable unity’ in fight against addictions | How best to deliver compassionate care to Sarasota-Manatee residents suffering from substance addictions — and how the University of South Florida can help the local behavioral health care system meet the need for treatment and other services — was the theme of the 2025 Duvall Conference. More than 200 service providers, USF faculty members and students, and other community residents filled the Student Center Ballroom for the day-long conference on April 2. | | |
USF faculty member presents at national conference on addressing the substance use treatment gap
Everette Coffman, PhD, assistant professor of instruction and field placement coordinator in the Department of Child and Family Studies, recently co-presented at the American Counseling Association national conference in Orlando, Florida. Read more.
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School of Social Work students named 2025 'Helios Pathway Scholars'
Four students from the School of Social Work were honored as 2025 Helios Pathway Scholars at the Helios Education Foundation's scholarship presentation and community reception in Tampa on April 8. Each was awarded a Pathway Scholarship, which supports the continuing education of students transferring from community colleges to partner universities across Florida. Read more.
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Speech-language pathology students gain hands-on experience in interdisciplinary neurorehabilitation
Second-year graduate students in speech-language pathology and doctoral students in physical therapy participated in an interprofessional education event where they shared insights about their respective fields, discussed interdisciplinary roles in clinical practice, and collaborated on neurological client cases. Read more.
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Employment-focused prison reentry program marks milestone
On April 4, the Criminology Club hosted an event in the Marshall Student Center to showcase and celebrate the remarkable progress of the Aiding in Reentry program, an employment-focused prison reentry initiative that provides community-engaged educational opportunities for students. Read more.
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ASL interpreting program hosts annual Faces of the Future networking event
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting program, in partnership with Hands On USF, and sponsored by the Educational Interpreter Project, hosted its annual Faces of the Future community networking event. Read more.
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LAUNCH USF shares insights on autism with social work graduate students
The School of Social Work hosted LAUNCH USF, a long-time leader in transition and employment services for adults on the autistic spectrum, during a session of the Health, Illness and Disabilities course. The guest speakers shared with social work students insights on programming and the young adult population living with ASD. Read more.
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Doctoral student and mentor present at Cognitive Neuroscience Society meeting
Second-year doctoral student Celine Davis, MS, and her faculty mentor, Assistant Professor Gerald C. Imaezue, PhD, in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, presented their innovative research at the Sketchpad Series of the 2025 Cognitive Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting in Boston. Read more.
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Ruby Joseph co-authors chapter on adapting family literacy programs in Liberia in newly released book
In a chapter of the newly published book "Family and intergenerational literacy and learning: international perspectives," Ruby Joseph, MPA, associate in research in the Department of Child and Family Studies and evaluator for the Family Literacy Initiative/Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (FLI/HIPPY), explores how the FLI/HIPPY program has evolved and has been adapted to the Liberian context. Read more.
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USF social work faculty member shares insights on resilience and healing at summit
Stephanie Rosado, PhD, adjunct professor in the School of Social Work and graduate of the doctoral program in the School of Social Work, participated in the 3rd Annual Inflamed Sisters Thriving Summit and Gala in St. Petersburg, where she served as a health panel speaker. Read more.
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Sarasota schools to end on-campus therapy program that helped hundreds of kids
Health News Florida
"In Sarasota County alone, untreated mental illness in children costs taxpayers an estimated $86 million per year, according to a 2019 report conducted by the University of South Florida."
Credit Card Fraud Guide
WalletHub
"How concerned should people be about credit card fraud? 'It's a significant issue that warrants a moderate to high level of concern. People should be vigilant and take it seriously due to potential financial and personal repercussions,' Thomas Hyslip, PhD, assistant professor of instruction, cybercrime, Department of Criminology said."
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Cybersecurity vs. Cybercrime: What's the Difference and Which Path is Right for You?
USF Innovative Education
"Faculty in the MS in Cybercrime program bring real-world experience directly into the classroom, offering students invaluable insights from their own professional careers."
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Coffman, E., Swank, J., & Smith, S. (2025). Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Model in Counselor Preparation. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 19(1), 2. http://dx.doi.org/10.70013/0zpvwugk
Kern, L, George, H. P., Evanovich, L. L., Hodnett, J., & Freeman, J. (2024). A review of U.S. policy guidance and legislation on restraint and seclusion in schools: Considerations for improvement. Exceptional Children, 90(4), 382-397. https://doi.org/10.1177/00144029241247032
Kittelman, A., McIntosh, K., Mercer, S. H., Nese, R. N. T., SoLing, S., & George, H. P. (2025). Factors predicting sustained implementation of tier 2 and tier 3 positive behavioral interventions and supports. Exceptional Children, 91(2), 211-228. https://doi.org/10.1177/00144029241296123
Manswell Butty, J. L., Capehart, J., Joseph, R., Kamara, B., Mertz, R., Rosen, D., Socker, E., Vickers, S., & Westheimer, M. (2025). The Liberian family literacy initiative. In E. Prins & R. Zholdoshalieva (Eds.), Family and intergenerational literacy and learning: International perspectives (pp. 93-105). UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000393131?posInSet=7&queryId=78c260c3-f486-4394-9edc-f61455cedc47
| | Upcoming Events & Deadlines | | |
Fiesta by the Bay for Autism
April 26 | Doors open at 6 p.m.
USF Alumni Center | Registration and sponsorships
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD-USF) will host its annual fundraiser Fiesta by the Bay for Autism on Saturday, April 26 at the USF Alumni Center. This family-friendly event provides an evening full of fun, entertainment, food, and a silent auction. Funds raised from the event support CARD-USF's Autism Services Fund. Facebook event page: 2025 Fiesta by the Bay for Autism Fundraiser
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Florida Center for Inclusive Communities Employment Virtual Conference
Talent Actualized! Creating Synergy for Tomorrow's Workforce: Employer Engagement
May 20 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
This conference is a fully online, interactive training opportunity for rehabilitation and employment professionals, educators, employers, policymakers, youth, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), family members, and anyone interested in promoting successful employment for individuals with I/DD. Register here.
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Adding News, Events, and Publications to the CBCS Website and Newsletter
If you have news/events or recent/upcoming publications you would like posted on the CBCS website and/or in the Communique newsletter, send the details and any attachments to CBCS Marketing (CBCSMarketing@usf.edu). Please send all newsletter submissions no later than Thursday for inclusion in the following week's newsletter.
Be sure to include all pertinent information (title, date, times, location, event description, and contact information) in editable digital text format. Articles included in the CBCS Communiqué may be disseminated to USF Media outlets and/or beyond.
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